Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHA1904894’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHA1904894’, particularly characterized by purplish-red flowers with dark red-purple lips, flowers with a flat shape in lateral view, weak curvature of the lateral lobes, short whiskers, short leaves, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHA1904894’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of theOrchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafterreferred to by the variety name ‘PHA1904894’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. The objectiveof this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant withattractive, purplish-red flowers with dark red-purple lips, suitable forpotted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHA1904894’ is a result of cross-pollinationmade by the inventor in May 2013 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of theproprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘01-3420’(unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsishybrid ‘41754-06’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, in March 2016. Asexualreproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culturesince 2017 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, has demonstrated that the newvariety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for inthe European Union on Sep. 22, 2020 (Application no. 2020/2289), byApplicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from theinventor. ‘PHA1904894’ has not been made publicly available or soldanywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year orless before the effective filing date of this claimed invention byApplicant who obtained ‘PHA1904894’ directly from the inventor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, and can be usedto distinguish ‘PHA1904894’ as a new and distinct variety ofPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1) Purplish-red flowers with dark red-purple lips;    -   2) Flower shape in lateral view is flat;    -   3) Curvature of lateral lobe is weak;    -   4) Whiskers are short; and    -   5) Leaves are short.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds,and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands,from 50-week-old plants in March 2021. Colors in the photographs maydiffer from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the actual colors of the newvariety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, andfoliage of ‘PHA1904894’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA1904894’.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA1904894’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHA1904894’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypemay vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype. The chart used in the identification of colors describedherein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society,London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms ofordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, theNetherlands. Observations and measurements were made in March 2021 onflowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots.After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grownin a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by acooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in agreenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeterpots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Moth orchid.        -   Variety name.—‘PHA1904894’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-3420’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘41754-06’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B            and RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots            having greenish-yellow (RHS 145B) root tips.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in            vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After            transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished            after 48 to 50 weeks.        -   Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent            with raceme inflorescence.        -   Height (from soil level to top of            inflorescence).—Approximately 33.0 cm to 38.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 23.0 cm to 26.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 11.0 cm            to 14.0 cm. Width: 6.0 cm to 7.0 cm. Position of the            broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong.            Base shape: Moderately to slightly elongated. Apex: Almost            rounded asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole            (measured from the horizontal position): Between 10 degrees            and 30 degrees. Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface:            RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS 146B. Texture (both upper and            lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm.            Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of            the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS            146B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—5 to 7.        -   Length.—33.0 cm to 38.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Mix of brown (RHS 200C) and yellow-green (RHS 146D).        -   Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 cm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, raceme            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Number of inflorescences.—1 to 2.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 90.0 mm to            120.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12-cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 72.0 mm to 77.0 mm. Diameter: 83.0 mm to            88.0 mm. Depth of lip: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 12 to 14 weeks.        -   Flower shape.—Flat.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium to large. Length: 21.0 mm            to 23.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped.            Color: Yellowish-green (RHS N144A) with a touch of dark            purplish-red (a color in between RHS N79B and RHS N79C);            dark purplish-red stripes (RHS N79B).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from            base to tip): 39.0 mm to 41.0 mm. Width: 41.0 mm to 43.0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base.            Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:            Purplish-red (RHS 61A). Over color: Dark purplish-red            stripes (RHS N79C). Lower surface: Basic color: Purplish-red            (RHS 70A). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145C);            diluting purplish-red stripes (RHS 64A). Number of spots and            stripes on the petals (upper surface): Many stripes. Color            of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): RHS            N79C. Density of netting of the petals (upper surface):            None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable.        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Obtuse to slightly            emarginated symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to            tip): 45.0 mm to 47.0 mm. Width: 31.0 mm to 33 0 mm.            Position of the broadest part of the dorsal sepals: At the            middle. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic            color: Purplish-red (RHS 61A). Over color: Dark red stripes            (RHS 59A) and dark purplish-red netting (RHS N79C). Lower            surface: Basic color: Yellow-green (a color in between RHS            N144A and RHS 145C). Over color: Purplish-red toward margins            and stripes (RHS 71A). Number of spots and stripes on the            dorsal sepals (upper surface): Medium stripes. Color of            spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): RHS            59A. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper            surface): Low. Color of the netting: RHS N79C.        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric.            Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from base to tip): 40.0 mm            to 42.0 mm. Width: 26.0 mm to 28.0 mm. Position of the            broadest part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color            (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color:            Purplish-red (RHS 61A). Over color: Touch of light            yellow-green (RHS 145C) and dotted (RHS 59A) at the base;            purplish-red shade (RHS 59B) on one side; stripes and            netting (a mix of RHS 59A and RHS N79C). Lower surface:            Basic color: Yellow-green (a color in between RHS N144A and            RHS 145C). Over color: Purplish-red (RHS 59B) toward margins            and purplish-red stripes (RHS 70A). Number of spots, dots,            and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium            dots at base; medium stripes. Color of spots, dots, and            stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Dots (RHS            59A); stripes (a mix of RHS 59A and RHS N79C). Density of            netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): Medium. Color            of the netting (upper surface): A mix of RHS 59A and RHS            N79C.        -   Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 3.0            mm to 4.0 mm. Color of whiskers: Dark red-purple (a color in            between RHS N78A and RHS N79C) with white tips (RHS NN155C).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type III (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); oblong.            Margin: Weakly undulated. Length: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Width:            6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Touch of light            greenish-yellow (a mix of RHS 8B and RHS 8C) at the base;            dark red spots (RHS 59A); dark red-purple (a color in            between RHS N78A and RHS N79C) toward the tip. Lower            surface: Light yellow-green (RHS 196C) and touch of red (RHS            181B) at the margin on one side toward base; dark red (RHS            59A) and reddish-purple (RHS N78A) toward the tip. Number of            spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few spots. Color of            spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 59A. Density of            netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not            applicable.        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate. Margin: Entire. Length: 20.0            mm to 22.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Color: Upper            surface: Touch of red (RHS 185B) at the base; dark red            margins (RHS 59A) at wings and dark red-purple (a color in            between RHS N78A and RHS N79C) toward whiskers. Lower            surface: Light greenish-yellow (RHS 160C) at the base; dark            red margins (RHS 59A) at wings; purplish-red (RHS 64A) and            dark red-purple (a color in between RHS N78A and RHS N79C)            at the middle with a white region (RHS NN155C) toward            whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe:            None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: Not            applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe: None.            Color of the netting: Not applicable.        -   Callus.—Average size: Small to medium. Height: 5.0 mm to            6.0 mm. Length: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm.            Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 4D) on sides; greenish-yellow            tips (RHS 6A) and purplish-red stripes (RHS 59B).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 4.8 mm to            5.3 mm. Color: Reddish-purple (RHS N78A).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange (RHS 23A).        -   Ovary.—Length: 10.0 mm to 12.0 mm. Diameter: 3.0 mm to 3.4            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 36.0 mm to 38.0 mm. Diameter: 3.5 mm to            3.9 mm. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146C) with a hint of brown            (RHS N199B) at the base; light yellow-green (RHS 145C)            toward flower. Texture: Smooth.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis to date.-   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on    plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHA1904894’ differs from the female parent plant ‘01-3420’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHA1904894’ has smaller flowers than ‘01-3420’.

‘PHA1904894’ differs from the male parent plant ‘41754-06’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHA1904894’ has flowers with main color of purplish-red andwhiskers, whereas ‘41754-06’ has flowers with a main color of red and nowhiskers. Additionally, ‘PHA1904894’ has larger flowers than ‘41754-06’.

‘PHA1904894’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named‘PHALJAKYJE’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/974,383) and‘PHALAPEK’ (unpatented). ‘PHA1904894’ differs from the commercialvariety ‘PHALJAKYJE’ in that ‘PHA1904894’ has lateral lobes that arespotted at the base, flowers with a flat shape in lateral view, andraceme inflorescence, whereas ‘PHALJAKYJE’ has lateral lobes that arestriped at the base, flowers with a slightly concave shape in lateralview, and panicle inflorescence. Additionally, ‘PHA1904894’ has shorterleaves than ‘PHALJAKYJE’.

‘PHA1904894’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALAPEK’ in that‘PHA1904894’ has trullate apical lobes, dark red-purple whiskers withwhite tips, and flowers with a flat shape in lateral view, whereas‘PHALAPEK’ has rhombic apical lobes, dark red whiskers, and flowers witha concave shape in lateral view. Additionally, ‘PHA1904894’ has shorterleaves than ‘PHALAPEK’.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHA1904894’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.